Large Ensembles & Real Life, Pt 2: Learning about & From the Past

 

When one thinks of the early years of Jazz, we think of New Orleans (before the brothels were closed), Chicago (especially after Prohibition was announced), and New York City (where many of the major record labels were located).  However, a case can be made (and has been–see below) for Richmond, Indiana, especially after the establishment of Gennett Records. The brainchild of three sons of an Italian immigrant family, Gennett managed to record King Oliver and Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Bix Beiderbecke, and Hoagy Carmichael all before the end of the 1920s.  Recording conditions were not the best (the studio was located near a very busy railroad bridge) but much of the music was stellar. 

Nearly three decades after Gennett finally closed its doors (they had stopped recording jazz, blues, etc. in the Depression), trumpeter Mark Buselli and trombonist/ arranger Brent Wallarab organized the Buselli/Wallarab Jazz Orchestra in Bloomington, IN, in 1994 before moving its base of operations to Indianapolis several years later.  Since its inception, the BWJO has recorded seven albums including two tributes to the composer and educator David Baker and one dedicated to Hoagy Carmichael.  When working on the latter album, Wallarab decided to begin research on Gennett Records and the amazing lineup of artists that passed through its doors from 1918 through the 1920s.  Wallarab, who received immeasurable training working as a transcriptionist of early Big Band music for the Smithsonian Institute of Jazz in Washington, D.C., had no desire to re-record the Gennett "classics"––instead, he used the originals as the blueprint for a modern take of what is, arguably, timeless music.

For the ensemble's eighth album, Wallarab created "The Gennett Suite" (Patois Records), a two-CD set that features four "Movements", 11 songs, that utilizes 11 songs from the 1920s records of Louis Armstrong with Joe "King" Oliver, Leon "Bix" Beiderbecke, Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton, and Hoagland "Hoagy" Carmichael.  The "Suite" opens with "Movement 1: Royal Blue", a 17-minute that features the two-part "Tin Roof Blues"––powered by the deep bass tones of Jeremy Allen and the powerful drumming of Sean Dobbin, Wallarab dresses the melody made famous by "King" Oliver's Creole Jazz Band in elegant washes of brass and reeds then leaves room for fine solos from Ned Boyd (baritone saxophone on "Part 1") and Tom Walsh (tenor sax on "Part 2").  You can hear tinges of Duke Ellington, Leonard Bernstein, and Thad Jones in the feisty sectional writing.  After the solo, the piece morphs into "The Chime Blues", notable for a number of reasons including the fact that 1923 session was the first recorded example of a Louis Armstrong solo. BWJO take on the tune includes excellent solos from Scott Belck (flugelhorn), Greg Ward (soprano sax), and co-leader Buselli (trumpet). The latter two soloists trade "8s" before the entire band struts to the close. "Dippermouth Blues" follows with a frisky New Orleans strut and the melody played by the trumpet section.  Trombonist Andrew Danforth steps out for a playful solo with the reeds in sweet support. Tenor saxophonist Todd Williams follows; his fine solo opens with just the drums in support but, as he powers forward, the trombones riff behind him. The ensemble dances forward to the close where pianist Allen plays the song's main riff in the style of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue". 

Photo: Greg Reynolds

"Movement 2: Blues Faux Bix" includes "Davenport Blues", "The Jazz Me Blues", and "Wolverine Blues" plus a short unaccompanied bass solo right before the final cut.  "Davenport.." is a spotlight for Buselli's smooth, sweet, flugelhorn solo–he gets the chance to stretch out and does so with great style.  The tempo picks up for "Jazz Me..." with the trumpets introducing the melody supported by responses from the reeds and trombones.  Amanda Gardier (alto sax) gets the first solo navigating several tempo changes before the rhythm section kicks the tune into a higher gear.  Pianist Luke Gillespie steps out next with a spirited solo stepping aside for a rollicking spot from trumpeter Belck. After Allen's bass "Interlude", he introduces "Wolverine Blues" (composed by Jelly Roll Morton but recorded for Gennett by Bix) which opens a slower blues before Dobbin kicks the ensemble in––the same soloists plus Allen are in the spotlight on this track as the previous cut Belck taking the first solo, M. Gardier next, then Allen, and finally Gillespie who jumps in.  Such sweet sounds!!

The second disc includes "Movement 3: Hoagland" and "Movement 4: Mr. Jelly Roll". Among the highlights is the stunning rendition of "Stardust"––listen below to how Wallarab's arrangement makes the oft-recorded "chestnut" sound new; on top of that, there is a terrific alto sax solo from Greg Ward. Tom Walsh's alto flute work on the theme also stands out. As the the music moves forward, one hears a touch of Maria Schneider's sound in the sectional writing behind Ward's solo.

A rousing reading of Morton's "Grandpa's Spells" brings the program to its close but not before Walsh and trumpeter John Raymond deliver vigorous solos. Be sure to the power of the rhythm section as they set the pace and support the band.

There have already been a slew of fine large ensemble recordings issued in 2023 but none better than "The Gennett Suite" by the Buselli/Wallarab Jazz Orchestra.  The music the project is based on may now be 100 years old but the formidable and highly enjoyable arrangements plus the overall excellence of the soloists makes the songs spark and sparkle.  There is an detailed booklet that comes with the CD set that tells the stories behind the labels, artists, and songs.  Find this album––this is music that's good for the soul!

For more information, go to https://bwjazzorchestra.com/.  For an overview of Gennett Records and the world around Richmond, IN, in the pre-and post-World War I years, go to www.pbs.org/video/the-music-makers-of-gennett-records-gnqhpd/.

Personnel:

Brent Wallarab – arranger, conductor

Reeds:

Greg Ward – soprano and alto sax

Amanda Gardler – alto sax

Tom Walsh – tenor sax and flute

Todd Williams – tenor sax

Ned Boyd – baritone sax

Trumpets:

Clark Hunt – lead trumpet

Jeff Conrad – lead trumpet on "Stardust"

Scott Belck – trumpet and flugelhorn

Mark Buselli – trumpet and flugelhorn

John Raymond – trumpet

Jeff Parker – trumpet on "Chime Blues"

Trombones:

Tom Coffman – lead trombone

Andrew Danforth – trombone

Demondrae Thurman – trombone

Rich Dole – bass trombone

Rhythm Section:

Luke Gillespie – piano

Jeremy Allen – bass

Sean Dobbins –  drums

Listen to this beautiful arrangement of Hoagy Carmichael's classic "Stardust":

Braithwaite & Katz · MOVEMENT 3 (Hoagland) Stardust — Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra